Report: ‘Rice Diet’ Doctor Beat Patients
From Times Wire Reports
Walter Kempner, known as the Rice Diet doctor, admitted in depositions before his death that he whipped patients who strayed from his diet, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported. Kempner, who died last month at 94, was sued in 1993 by former patient Sharon Ryan, who claimed that the doctor turned her into his “virtual sex slave” for 20 years, which Kempner and Duke University officials denied. The Germany native convinced about 20,000 patients to give up salt and fat for a menu of rice and fruit.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
